Buckley now says scrap the Hope and Change

posted at 2:55 pm on March 8, 2010 by Ed Morrissey

Eighteen months ago, Christopher Buckley made headlines with his endorsement of Barack Obama, becoming the conservative darling at MS-NBC after penning “The Conservative Case for Barack Obama.” At the time, Buckley wrote of Obama’s “first-class temperament” and top-drawer intellect. Buckley convinced himself that Obama would govern as a post-partisan centrist, rising above the progressive agenda that had carried him from the Chicago Machine to the threshold of the White House:

But having a first-class temperament and a first-class intellect, President Obama will (I pray, secularly) surely understand that traditional left-politics aren’t going to get us out of this pit we’ve dug for ourselves. If he raises taxes and throws up tariff walls and opens the coffers of the DNC to bribe-money from the special interest groups against whom he has (somewhat disingenuously) railed during the campaign trail, then he will almost certainly reap a whirlwind that will make Katrina look like a balmy summer zephyr.

How’s that Hope and Change working out for Buckley? In a rather self-indulgent “Q&A” at The Daily Beast, Buckley now wants an end to the “traditional left-politics” that everyone but Buckley knew was coming:

President Obama declared the other day that “Everything there is to say about health care has been said and just about everyone has said it.” Is this correct?

Apparently not, to judge from the papers, which contain some pretty hairy predictions about what lies ahead if health-care “reform” goes through.

Such as?

Continued skyrocketing costs, less actual health care, and massive bureaucracies. And although we’re told that the bill is “deficit neutral,” Washington’s way of saying, “It’s not going to cost a dime, who, really, believes that? As P.J. O’Rourke says, “If you think health care is expensive now, just wait until it’s free.”

But isn’t that just the usual partisan/ideological bickering?

Not unless you consider, say, Warren Buffett “partisan” or “ideological.” You’ll recall that Buffett was an early supporter of Obama’s candidacy. But following the “health-care summit,” he advised the president to scrap the health bill and start over. As he put it, the critical issue with health care is “costs, costs, costs.” And until we attack that aspect, everything else is essentially beside the point.

Are you saying insuring people with no health insurance is “beside the point”?

No, but driving the country into bankruptcy isn’t going to help anyone in the long run. Wouldn’t you agree?

None of this is anything new. In fact, if not for the flowery language, this recaps everything about ObamaCare and the Democratic agenda that we’ve known since before Obama won the election. He campaigned on comprehensive reform of the health-care system, as well as cap-and-trade and a number of agenda items that would drive the country into bankruptcy. Apparently, Buckley didn’t pay attention to the issues, but instead found himself infatuated with Obama’s temperament and intellect — or at least his perception of both.

Of course, Buckley isn’t alone in this. The national media appeared to engage in a deliberate infatuation with Obama rather than vet him properly as a political candidate. (John Ziegler created an entire documentary on this topic.) But on this topic, the reversal is especially egregious. Obama outlined his general approach on many occasions during the campaign; it was his signature domestic policy issue. John McCain engaged Obama heavily on this point, with Obama demagoguing McCain’s proposal to disconnect health insurance from employment by shrieking over his plan to tax benefits, which is exactly what the current version of ObamaCare does now. Everyone knew that Obama and the Democrats wanted heavy government control of the health-care industry, with some members calling for single-payer, and Obama had already gone on the record supporting single-payer before running for the presidency.

Now, suddenly, Buckley has to reconcile his support for Obama in light of the statist policies Obama has pursued in health care (and for that matter, on energy as well). Had Buckley and the media paid more attention during the campaign, none of this would have shocked them. For that, Buckley gets the Captain Louis Renault award for his surprise that Obama turned out to be a traditional left-politics President after a short career of supporting nothing but traditional left-politics:

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I’m just a dumb prole but I knew what Comrade Zero was a year before the election. Chris Buckley couldn’t quite figure it out until now. Why should I listen to someone who’s proved himself to be dumber than I am?

Chris, on the next big issue, call me before you open your big, stupid trap. I can save you lots of embarassment.

I tried reading one of his books. It’s like he has a computer program to spit out puns and plot. I’m not sure why anyone cares what this guy says. Even before he backed Obama. Not to mention that he is trying to get his books made into movies, so right there I could have predicted that he would come out as a lefty to fit in with the Hollywood crowd. Like his books, he is predictable.

Two from Buckley? AP must be on the job. I’m bracing myself for a post from Ross Douthat next. The typical ignorant suspects who act so smart that yet end up being so stupid. Nothing here that wasn’t already known about this elitist. They’re so smart, they’re stupid.

Now, suddenly, Buckley has to reconcile his support for Obama in light of the statist policies Obama has pursued in health care (and for that matter, on energy as well). Had Buckley and the media paid more attention during the campaign, none of this would have shocked them.

I’m a pretty forgiving dude, but these so-called conservatives who publicly backed Obama deserve no leeway for their stupidity. They were enablers in his campaign to portray himself as a moderate. As far as I’m concerned, they should be relegated to obscurity with the rest of the lamestream media.

Now, suddenly, Buckley has to reconcile his support for Obama in light of the statist policies Obama has pursued in health care (and for that matter, on energy as well). Had Buckley and the media paid more attention during the campaign, none of this would have shocked them. For that, Buckley gets the Captain Louis Renault award for his surprise that Obama turned out to be a traditional left-politics President after a short career of supporting nothing but traditional left-politics:

If Dad would’ve still been around, then Chris B would’ve received a swift kick in the pants as a preventive measure for the CPT Louis Renault Award. However, justice delayed isn’t justice denied. Take your medicine Chris, and get back on the reality train now that the hopenchange train has proven that it can’t even leave the station.

I’m a pretty forgiving dude, but these so-called conservatives who publicly backed Obama deserve no leeway for their stupidity. They were enablers in his campaign to portray himself as a moderate. As far as I’m concerned, they should be relegated to obscurity with the rest of the lamestream media.

Doughboy on March 8, 2010 at 3:03 PM

Yeah, it’s better that we reject the repentent once and force them to vote Democrat.

Great plan. And I bet you wonder why the GOP is hated just as much as Democrats.

Obviously Buckley hasn’t seen firsthand the incredible crease in PBHO’s slacks, other self-anointed members of the intelligentsia have proclaimed it to be quite stunning. The sign of a vibrant and capable leader: a perfect pants crease.

Think of what is happening to Buckley here as that part of the picture where the evil alien creature that has been controlling the victim’s mind for most of the movie has been destroyed and the victim now wakes up dazed and confused, wondering where he is and what happened to him.

Two from Buckley? AP must be on the job. I’m bracing myself for a post from Ross Douthat next. The typical ignorant suspects who act so smart that yet end up being so stupid. Nothing here that wasn’t already known about this elitist. They’re so smart, they’re stupid.

Sultry Beauty on March 8, 2010 at 3:03 PM

I’ve tried to give AP the benefit of the doubt and say to myself that he posts these headlines because of how rediculous they are, and he enjoys us making fun of them.

Obviously Buckley hasn’t seen firsthand the incredible crease in PBHO’s slacks, other self-anointed members of the intelligentsia have proclaimed it to be quite stunning. The sign of a vibrant and capable leader: a perfect pants crease.

You look even more stupid than you feel. Someone who was a political novice and tuned into talk radio less than a year before Turkmanbama was elected could see what a flaming, liberal disaster he was to be. And yet you had such a rich history of conservatism in your family. Eff you.

Chris really blew it last year. I hope he feels like the bamboozled moron that he is.

BottomLine5 on March 8, 2010 at 3:25 PM

I feel sorry for these guys, who throw everything away to become the Democrats new bestest and favorite Republican. Then the Democrats don’t need them, and they are discarded and forgotten, like a broken toy after Christmas.

Buckley, I’d say next time look past your hubris and listen to the people who immediately saw right through this guy…but everyone knows you’re going to fall head over heels for the next sweet-talking liberal anyway so I won’t waste my breath.

HeadlinesChristopher Buckley
Kill the bill!
But consider: There was a lot of debate back in 2001-03 about whether we should go to war in Iraq. President Bush finally stamped his feet and said more or less what Mr. Obama is now saying, namely: “The time for talk is over.” Do you think we did the right thing in 2003?
Are you saying that health-care reform could be Obama’s Iraq?
I hope not, for all our sake. Not to sound like Pollyanna, but we’re all in this together.
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Do you think we did the right thing in 2003?
Absolutely.

Rocks on March 8, 2010 at 10:58 AM

You wanted the “Hope and Change”, Buckley. You and your “educated elite” buddies. Choke on it.

SouthernGent on March 8, 2010 at 10:59 AM

A little late to the party, eh, Mr. Buckley?

Good Lt on March 8, 2010 at 11:00 AM

Gawd your father must be disappointed beyond words rolling over in his grave.

Tim Zank on March 8, 2010 at 11:01 AM

But driving the country into bankruptcy isn’t going to help anyone in the long run
An excellent point that moderate Democrats should well consider before supporting that Turd of a bill.

Buckley : “Well if that’s all ya wanna do, do like Fox and put up some blond boobies.”

Skandia Recluse on March 8, 2010 at 11:16 AM

When you’ve lost Chris Buckley….

t.ferg on March 8, 2010 at 11:17 AM

Chris Buckley, sound like Pollyanna?

NO WAY!

Red Cloud on March 8, 2010 at 11:17 AM

CB should be listened to, any guy who puts the earpiece of his glasses in his teeth is obviously very astute and intelligent.

Bishop on March 8, 2010 at 11:21 AM

Sometimes I think these pundits voted for Obama just to have something juicy to rant about later.

Thanks for nothing, Chris.

PattyJ on March 8, 2010 at 11:23 AM

Uh, Chris, didn’t we go into Iraq with heavy bipartisan support?

Unlike, of course, ObankruptCare…

(I guess if your dad was a grand poobah of sorts, you get to make up history and draw apples-to-oranges analogies as though they were legitimate.)

beatcanvas on March 8, 2010 at 11:23 AM

Ask yourself: Is taking action in itself a virtue?
This is one part that really bugs me. One of the aspects of Liberal Fascism that has really rung true is the cult of action. Who cares what we’re doing, we need to do something! It needs to go forward!

Change! Something different! Act!

And when it’s clear to any thinking person that the bill is a turd (and I’m not trying to say liberals aren’t thinking, even they realize this for the most part) we get this crappy excuse that we need to do something. Would you rather do nothing!?

No, I’m a conservative, I’d rather act slowly, deliberately, and with certitude.

Keljeck on March 8, 2010 at 11:23 AM

CB should be listened to, any guy who puts the earpiece of his glasses in his teeth is obviously very astute and intelligent.

Bishop on March 8, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Pretty safe bet that’s not the only thing in his mouth on a regular basis either.

Tim Zank on March 8, 2010 at 11:23 AM

Chris Buckley: Thank You For Mea Culpa

georgealbert on March 8, 2010 at 11:27 AM

Translation: Look, Barry, you’ve already made me look like an opportunistic fool, and I pissed away my heritage and most of my audience for you… so PLEASE don’t push the piece of crap you promised you’d push in 2008 when I supported you without reservation.

mankai on March 8, 2010 at 11:31 AM

Not unless you consider, say, Warren Buffett “partisan” or “ideological.” You’ll recall that Buffett was an early supporter of Obama’s candidacy. But following the “health-care summit,” he advised the president to scrap the health bill and start over. As he put it, the critical issue with health care is “costs, costs, costs.” And until we attack that aspect, everything else is essentially beside the point.
T. Coddington apparently is going to use Warren Buffet as a shield to ride back to respectability, or at the very least to justify his actions of the past 18 or so months.

“I followed the same path as Warren Buffett, and Warren is the smartest investor out there,” seems to be Buckley’s strtegerie here. The problem is that 1.) Warren has been openly supporting Democrats since Clinton was in office; 2.) Warren didn’t have such a hot couple of years in 2007-08, his early perception (along with several million conservatives) of the mortgage crisis to the contrary; 3.) Since Warren had shown his support for the Democrats over the past decade, you’d think he would have at least broken a teensy little bit from them when folks like Barney Frank were defending Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from the White House’s attempts at reform six years ago and given the Bush Administration some public backing.

That didn’t happen, and Buffett apprently thought that the answer to all those low-interest/high credit-risk mortgages was to put their biggest supporters in charge of the federal branch of government by his support of Obama in 2008. That doesn’t negate Warren’s economic and investing smarts, but it does put him on the billionaires’ short bus when it comes to political savvy. So Buckley shouldn’t expect that just because Buffett has now figured things out, Chris is going to be able to ride back in and hit the reset button on his actions since the fall of 2008 and everyone will go back to assuming he knows what he’s talking about just because he’s William F. Buckley’s son.

jon1979 on March 8, 2010 at 11:35 AM

But surely 100 percent of Americans are tired of all the back-and-forth, and want action taken.
Ask yourself: Is taking action in itself a virtue?
Seems to be the Obama mantra.

CWforFreedom on March 8, 2010 at 11:37 AM

Normally I’d be laughing evilly at what your choice has gotten you into. Unfortunately, it also got all of us into it, too.

Physics Geek on March 8, 2010 at 11:38 AM

Obama under the bus and now on to humping Warren Buffets leg. Roger that. Thanks for the update.

Dash on March 8, 2010 at 11:40 AM

His portfolio must be dropping

entagor on March 8, 2010 at 11:45 AM

jon1979 on March 8, 2010 at 11:35 AM
Very well said. Buckley’s technique of hiding behind Buffet’s skirt in this article is not a substitute for… um… thought and argument. I am glad that Buffet might finally have seen the light on this issue (and was an early critic of mortgage backed derivatives/credit default swaps, but (as a mega-businessman who is happy to rent seek for his businesses) he is not a reliable impartial political thinker.

chaswv on March 8, 2010 at 11:46 AM

CB should be listened to, any guy who puts the earpiece of his glasses in his teeth is obviously very astute and intelligent.

Bishop on March 8, 2010 at 11:21 AM
My dog does that. But, she doesn’t have any glasses so she uses mine. And, yes, she is very astute and intelligent but not when she chews up another *&%^$#@ pair of sunglasses.

Blake on March 8, 2010 at 11:53 AM

I’d rather listen to Jimmy Buffett than listen to his father. His position on inheritance taxes drives me crazy. He is free to give away every dime he’s ever made, but the rest of us should be free to make our own choices in these matters. The very last place I’d give money to are the fat cats in the Federal government.

Buy Danish on March 8, 2010 at 11:53 AM

and why we’d all be better off if Warren Buffett were president.
Pardon me Chris, didn’t you vote for Obama? You ain’t as smart as your old man.

Herb on March 8, 2010 at 11:57 AM

Most of Warren Buffet’s money will be going to charitable trust ……………. therefore, his estate will pay little or no estate tax.

SC.Charlie on March 8, 2010 at 11:58 AM

If the old saw ‘the apple doesn’t fall from the tree’ is true then the Buckley tree was planted on one hell of a steep slope.

turfmann on March 8, 2010 at 11:59 AM

If this guy’s name was Buck Christopher, nobody would even know who he is, never mind publish his work.

TheBigOldDog on March 8, 2010 at 12:01 PM

Bwahahahahaha!!! Buckley is a year and a half behind the curve. Can anyone say “irrelevant”?

csdeven on March 8, 2010 at 12:20 PM

Keljeck on March 8, 2010 at 11:23 AM
As a wise man once said:

Don’t just do something, Doctor; Stand there!

July 10 on March 8, 2010 at 12:54 PM

T. Coddington.

Kensington on March 8, 2010 at 12:59 PM

Kill it? Hell, I think they should rename it in honor of Mr. Van Voorhees. The “National Topsider Healthcare Act?”

james23 on March 8, 2010 at 1:09 PM

“The time for talk is over.”

So please,
just button it and go away Chris!
If its not Frum its Brooks,
followed by another lefty twit like Puckley
playing dressup in Conservatve clothes…
Suspect Rahm visited them in the shower too?!

Eventually, David Brooks will recant his support for Obama, too, and it will be on pay-per-view.

Emperor Norton on March 8, 2010 at 3:30 PM

Brooks will say: “Lately, the President’s pants have not appeared to be ironed, let alone properly creased. I have no choice but to wonder if a man with such a lackadaisical approach to his pants can really appreciate Niebuhr…”

I just want to go on the record here that there is no person, Democrat or Republican, who disgusts me as much as this Buckley character. And I include Andrew Sullivan in that list. His immature writing style, his self-indulgence, that ridiculous pose he has in his mug at Daily Beast … I flat-out can’t stand this guy. His dad, different story.
.
Good old Christopher proves the apple can indeed fall far from the tree or at least end up far from it if a mule picks it up, eats it, ambles off to the left, and dumps it in a steaming pile on the back side of the orchard, or, as I like to call it, “The Daily Beast.”

Good old Christopher proves the apple can indeed fall far from the tree or at least end up far from it if a mule picks it up, eats it, ambles off to the left, and dumps it in a steaming pile on the back side of the orchard, or, as I like to call it, “The Daily Beast.”